So im in Magnolia. My sister keeps asking me what I want to do while im here and I have no idea what the area even has to offer. Send me some ideas of things I should check out...cars...music...

If you go to the Texas section on LS1tech you can find something to do in the 2920/45 area.

I don't think im even a member on ls1tech...

How long you here?

Feb 9/10 NASA will be at MSR-Houston in Angleton.

Well I've been in Magnolia for oh, 28 years now. Not much to do here. Well nice try though, later.

Vernon

Probably better..You're not missing much. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

You can go up Texas World Speedway in College Station. Always something going on there.

Ha, had to do it because it's basically true, we have a Reinessance Festival every November but that's about it. When I was a teen in the late 80's you had to make sure you had enough gas to last you the night before 8:50PM around here. Since then it's become the place for the folks with money to esape to the countryside and it's over 10x bigger population but just catching up with ammenities and social stuff. Well for anything interesting you'll have to go into nearby larger towns. As for cars there's the North American auto show (new stuff) that's currently in Houston at Reliant Park (Astrodome). This is a bit early for the Magnolia car show (cool stuff), it will be a couple more months. There are several weekend hang outs for the LS1tech crowd, look in the Texas section for the 2920 and 45 post, it's less than 20 miles and about 30 minutes away depending on where in Magnolia you are and the traffic. Check out a site called Htownracing.com and www.houstonperformancedriving.com for other open make meets in the area. Areas close to us that have meets, and interesting stuff include Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, Cypress, and Willowbrook (N. Houston). These areas are somewhat safe, the further south you travel the more dangerous the people can be.

For music the closest, and it's good, is The Centhia Woods Mitchell Pavilian, pavilion.woodlandscenter.org, this is an outdoor concert theater and they have the biggest names in music playing shows all the time. This is in The Woodlands TX on the eastern border of the Magnolia area. It's a very upscale community and has everything money can buy. They don't cut down any trees so the whole town is invisible from it's roads. Take a good map or experienced guide with you or you will get lost for hours. The mall is next to the Pavillian. We go about twice a year for concerts. Look it up and see the current schedule. For other events in Houston look at www.livenation.com. There's a ton of live musice venues in Houston with many clubs that rock into the night. Use the newspaper's web site of the Houston Chronicle, it's www.chron.com. Goto the entertainment page and use the search engine there, it's good for finding a band to go see on the spur of a moment. Fitzgeralds on White Oak is a nice live music club I've gone to a few times and not had anyone mess with my cars. Get there early for a space though. Be very freaking careful were you park in downtown Houston. I came out of a club once to find the full parking lot I used across the street empty with all the cars in storage lots. Call a cab, pay that, pay the lot, go home 2 weeks before Christmas about $250 bucks lighter because the first jack off parked in front of the no parking you will be towed sign. The guys at the door don't say shit since you didn't pay for valet parking. I think there's still a small cafe in Old Town Spring that has live country music on Weds nights. The food is good and the place is built in an old train depot, it's as laid back as you can still feel comfortable eating in. It's named Puffabelly's.

There's many tourist attractions in the area that can be considered day or weekend trips. Such as going south on I-45 to Webster and seeing NASA (Space Center Houston), then onto Kema Board Walk for dinner. Galveston Island is just another 20-30 miles further south and makes a good weekend trip. Stuff on the island is numerous. Use the Chronicle site for stuff to see do there also. For a niteclub night you should look into Richmond Ave. in the Galleria area of Houston. Lots of nice cars, beautiful women, and bars. Bring a designated driver, the cops are thick and that's a long haul coming back home to Magnolia.

Tomball is the nearest place with lot's of restraunt and a few bars etc. It's 15 minutes due south on 249, watch the cops especially in the constuction area. I don't know what type of music you're into or your personallity but Molley's Pub on hwy 249 going less than a mile south of main (2920) is a good place to play pool, shoot darts, watch the games, and throw back some beers. That's where we watch the football games. Gary's Spot in Tomball is a little rougher but many times has rock bands and pool. There's a club on main in front of the post office named Deb-A-Roe's that's a country bar with pool. Another Tomball/Magnolia area attraction is a brand new, old style, drive-in movie theater. It's a cool thing to experience and relive the 50's-70's Americana. They have two screens and play two movies a night on each starting at dark. Very affordable and fun for everyone, lots of familys and couples. To reach it you'll have to get to 2920 going out to Waller TX. This is due W. of downtown Tomball for about 10+ miles (easyest route) or through the back roads of extreme SW Magnolia (bring a good map and flashlight or an experience old Magnolia guide). www.theshowboatdrivein.com is the site to see showings, make plans, and get directions etc. Sometimes there's cool musclecars there but nothing regular.

Good restruants (I tell about the local places not the chains) in Magnolia area include 7 Leguas on 1488 and 2978 for Mexican, I know the owners and they are some young brothers who run a damn nice place and the Margarita's and food are good. The blue iguana in Magnolia is good. For steak it's Pecos Grille in Tomball next to Autozone. Goodson's Cafe in Tomball is a good ol' fashioned cooking place that's been in Tomball for over 50 years and excellent. Seafood is ok at Kehma's (Key=ma's) in Magnolia (not the real Kehma TX that I mentioned earlier) but not so great, a great place with excellent Mexican Style seafood is in Pinehurst (about 10 minutes south towards Tomball) right across Hwy 249 from the Pinehurst post office, I forget the name as they're new but it has a small lighthouse in front and is painted white. The food is extravagant and so is the price but it's worth the money for a treat. The Magnolia Diner is a good spot for meals that come on a plate.

Lake Conroe is just to the north of us and there's a lot of boating and fishing going on up there. Many restuants in Montgomery (our side of the lake). There may be some car meets there from time to time but nothing major. Conroe has several car shows and swap meets at the county fair grounds during the year but I don't know of anthing right now.

My shop is on 1488 going towards I-45 (Conroe and The Woodlands) this is the "New" Magnolia as the city limits are at 1488 and 1774 (like the north end of 249). We are a general auto shop but if you need something done while you're here come over and see me. It's Gersitz & Son Auto at 5319 F.M. 1488, Magnolia. We're M-F 8-5 and in the book.

If you see a red 99 Firehawk t-top car around town that's most likey me or my GF, feel free to say hi to me but stay the hell away from her. LOL-joke, she's cool. I usuall am driving my 01 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. It's all blacked out with big bumpers and a SS style cowl hood with Vortec badges on the scoop. I run a 496 on E85 so if you aren't in a fast car you may not catch upto me. They are the only ones like themselfs in the area.

Right now the weather has been very miserable, it's usually not so bad. That means going to mostly indoor stuff.

I hope this helps you out, as you can see I type fast. You're lucky I saw this as I've been only an occasional lurker on this site and was looking here this morning with insomnia. I came back to finish and when I saw your post I was like, (WTH???) somebody saw me.

Vernon
ManicV6Mechanic@hotmail.com

The GF says I should have mentioned our local comedy club. It's The Laugh Spot at Willowbrook Mall. This is about 30 minutes drive south of Magnolia on Hwy 249 between FM1960 and Greens Rd Exit. Goto the next exit past 1960 and u-turn, it's on the right just before 1960 in front of the mall. Shows are like 7:30 and 10 PM. Nationally known comedians are regulars there, two drink minimum, spend about 30-40 bucks each all together there. I don't know if you like Monster Truck rallys but Feb 3rd is one in Reliant stadium (Astrodome). I don't care for them but she likes them. She also says the Aquarium in downtown Houston is a must see.

Vernon

Thanks for the info. I'll try to digest it all, Ive only been in town for two days so I'm not even real sure of magnolia let alone the where I'm even at (I'm from Maryland). I believe the street sign nearest to the home says "penguin".

Magnolia, as in Texas? That's way north of Houston, used to really be out in the boonies. Not any more, though. As others have said, you can check out TWS in College Station, probably about an hour from you, or MSR Houston, south of Houston, near Alvin, which is probably about 2 hours from you.

We're having a Regional Solo event at the Gulf Greyhound Park in Texas City, about 1/2 way between Houston and Galveston, probably about 1.5-2 hours southeast of you this Sunday.

Go here for info:

http://houscca.com/solo/index.asp

Oh, and the Houston Auto show is going this week. Not much, we're considered a second market, as compared to Detroit and NY, but something to do that's related to cars. It's down next to the Astrodome:

http://www.houstonautoshow.com/

Welcome to Houston, er, Magnolia. Sorry the weather has been so cold.

This post has been edited by CrashTestDummy: Jan 28 2008, 07:16 PM

Okay. For the Magnolia fella, I'm in clear creek estates if that makes any difference. I don't really have wheels so I'm limited in what I can see or do, but I am sort of interested in checking out the auto show if I can make it downtown. What kind of stuff is it that you do at your shop? Just general repair? I'm 24 if that information in pertainent in your suggestions, keep them coming.

There is a new shopping center on the corner of i45s and 2920. Fri night, if the weather is nice, 100 plus cars

I go out almost every fri and sat night and there is always something to do in and around houst.

Depends on what you are into. How long you gonna be here? plenty bars, dance halls, pool halls, ice houses and strip clubs

Get a car and go!

SlowCamaro, you're in the back of "Old Magnolia". This means you're closer to the drive in movie theater out in Waller and about an even split between the actual towns of Magnolia and Tomball. Also, you're out in the sticks, without a car you are definately screwed. Out where your sister lives there's not any car meets or live music venues, just a few small Honky-Tonks, dollar store, gas stations, and Mom & Pop restruants. With a car you can get to the towns within 20 minutes but that's about it.

The nearest highway to you is FM2920, which when you take east, or left, will take you strait into Tomball where it becomes Main St. if you stay on it and go through town you'll travel through many lights in the suburbs until about 15+ miles later you arrive in Spring and I-45 where the meet Gopanoz just mentioned happens. It's also the meet on LS1 tech I mentioned earlier as the 2920 and I-45 meet. If you take Nichols Sawmill Rd. East, which is the main road of travel from your sisters house it will take you strait into the Magnolia city limits. This is a typical small american town but the new growth and the adjoining town of "The Woodlands" is still on the other side of Magnolia city from there by another 13 or more miles depending on where you're going.

I'm running out of time but it would be good to goto Wal-Mart in Tomball and pick up two maps, one of the greater Houston area as it's big and most of the things of major interest are on that map, and the other of the NW Suburbs if it includes Magnolia. You won't go many places away from Houston starting where you are other than Bryan/Colledge station and for that you'll need a state map.

Once you have the maps locate the towns I mentioned and note the highways that connect them. There are two loops around Houston, 610 loop is the smaller one around downtown and is good for switching highways when traveling through Houston or just getting to a destination in Houston. The other loop is Beltway 8, or The Beltway. It is a larger loop that circles the major metropolitan area and most of it is toll road. It is good for us getting from here to a near-by community or the next freeway in order to continue our travel into Houston. If you went into Tomball on 2920 and turn S. or right onto Hwy 249 you'll being going through Cypress into NW Houston and the Willowbrook Mall area, just past the Mall you'll hit the beltway and can go E towards I-45 for going into Downtown Houston and on through to Galveston etc. Or you can go West to head towards 290 and I-10 on the W. side of Houston. Not much worth seeing is on the NE or E side of Houston. The drag strip is near Baytown on the far eastern edge of Houston going E. on I-10 twowards Louisiana.

Also from where you're at to get into Houston the quickest, you would need to get over to 2920 on your east by a few miles using Roberts Cemetary Rd. and use 2920 east about a mile or two it to hook up to Mueschki (MUES-ski). Take Mueschki due South all the way until it ends at US 290. 290 goes east all the way into NW Houston and ends at the 610 loop.

I'll tell you about Texas BBQ and recommended Beers next since you are over 21. What's your name and how long are you staying?

Vernon

This post has been edited by Manic Mechanic: Jan 29 2008, 03:37 PM

My name is Blyth and I'm sticking around until I see the area a bit. I don't want to waste my trip to Texas just browsing trailor parks. I bought I one way ticket and I plan on staying for a week or two. I get so damn bored sitting here...maybe I'll buy an old pickup and become a local...don't know of any dirty cheap vehicles for sale do you?...how about a classic...we have rust issues where Im from if i could find a good deal on a classic I may snatch it up.

There's a dirt cheap beater white Neon at the transmission shop down the street, they're asking $1000 but it's been there over a year. A woman drove up in it a day or two ago and asked me what I though about it. I thought about $500. It needs a engine mount and other misilanious attention. No A/C, don't laugh you're not in Maryland anymore, this is as cold as it gets here but it gets a lot hotter. It's A+ transmissions on FM1488 in Magnolia if you want to call them. It's rough and no current stickers.

I talked to a buddy who has two classic Chevy trucks a 71 and 72 that he's been thinking of selling for a while. One is a good driver and the other is a parts car. He's installed a strong 350 crate engine, has a strong TH350 (3 speed auto), good rear and brakes. He has a front end rebuild kit not yet installed. He had problems with the tank corroding and clogging up the fuel system and had to get to work so he got a new Colorado and parked the old truck about 8 months ago. He says he just lined up a deal on another fuel tank and will be installing it in a few days and getting the truck fixed again. It's not a show queen but it's strait and solid with some smooth Center Line billet wheels. He's going to sell it but wants to have it running correctly so he can ask about $3,500 for everything (both trucks and parts). He said he should know if he's ready in a week and he'll call me back.

Vernon

This post has been edited by Manic Mechanic: Jan 30 2008, 04:19 AM

I agree with what Vernon said about A/C. It is not an option here. A car with a non-working A/C is easily worth $1000-$1500 less than a similar car with working A/C. Unless it is a race car, opt for something with working A/C.

Yeah ive noticed there are a ton more older chevys down here than back home, id actually like to find one. Maybe not even that old, a 2wd 80's model would even be fine with me. Something that needed a little work to get running right wouldnt bother me. I don't like body work, but it was something with a rough bed but a solid cab and front end Id be okay with that. Something like the trucks you mentioned but at the price of the neon (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)


thanks...still sitting around drinking beer looking for something to do...either of you folks ever heard of or had yuengling? Apparently you cant get it west of tennesee. Whats the local beer of choice?

Guinness. Brilliant!

Here's what I like for local beer:

When eating BBQ = Shiner Bock, cuts the sweet tangyness of BBQ meat just right. Thick and dark, slightly bitter but with good flavor.
Tex-Mex = Dos Equis XX Green, great flavor that kicks Coronas silly arse, very good at quenching your thirst when eating chile pepper flavored foods.
Good beer anytime beer that's affordable = Lone Star, my faivorite Texas brew, great taste, strong, and cheap. Perfect for pitchers during the games.
Most of the time I drink Michelobe Ultra because I'm not so young anymore and it's a good tasting light beer.

Speaking of Bar-B-Que there's two places in our area you can try. If you get on 2920 and head into Tomball just as you get into the city limits there's a place on the right named HCS or Harris County Smokehouse. It's a inexpensive cafeteria style BBQ place but the food is good. I recommend the baked potato stuffed with brisket. Fixin's and breads are all serve your self. But for real gourmet Texas style BBQ you'll need to head south from Tomball on 249 until you reach the Willowbrook area at FM1960. Exit there, turn left onto 1960 and go past the Mall, over the rail road tracks and get into the left lane. The next intersection is Cutten Rd., take it to the left or back North. Go up Cutten about a mile or two and look to the right. Soon you will see a sign for County Line BBQ, this is the place for some really good food. The place has a very nice atmosphere but the prices are reasonable. A couple Shiner Bocks and a sampler plate and you're eating well. Best thing is that even though FM1960 is overpopulated and lines are upto an hour wait County Line is off the beaten path and never crowded. I can't remeber the last time we weren't seated immediatly. It's a well kept secret.

What are you doing during the Super Bowl? I'll probably be at Molly's Pub watching the game if you want to meet up.

Vernon

Im not sure what im doing during the super bowl yet, I'll see If I cant make it out that way. thanks again.